Dub Get Off to a Flier

Victoria Park, Thursday 11 August 2005, 6:30PM

Dub FC (3)7 Collingwood (1)1

Dub began the 05/06 season with a warm-up game against Collingwood Skunks - the first of several Thursday night pre-season friendly fixtures. This was the first match of a new era for Dub as they were lead out by new manager Kernan the Younger. Many were surprised to see Cormac Kernan even on the squad list - turns out he may not have been just picking himself all these years.

Indeed, the Dub squad welcomed old and new faces alike. Robbie Jackson managed to get some boots for his first competitive start for the club and new signing Davy McSparran could provide more options in goal. Part-time defender Shane Murphy looked to strengthen the back four and the clubs answer to Darren Anderton, "Flaming" Chris Hodgkinson, was on hand to scare the opposition with his girly laugh.

The game started brightly enough and it took only ten minutes for the first goal as a poor kick out from the skunks was intercepted. Phil cleverly put the ball in using the keepers body though he did his best to put it wide. Five minutes later and Cormac got the first of his brace from a well worked short corner - this time Andy was the provider. Then it all started to get a bit hairy. Phil made an early bid for miss of the season as he managed to hit the post and bar from 2 yards out and Kristian showed strength and poise as he held off 2 skunks and slid the ball past his own keeper. A member of the Dub committee said later, "He does that all the time in training - it's nice to see him finally produce the goods in a competitive fixture."

The next goal came from a short corner. The ever youthful Dickson peeled away from the front post leaving space for Art to give the ball back to Donal. The ball was switched to Mark Harvey on the opposite wing who played it back to the far post where Dickson left the ball for Art to finish well. It seems Art's claims last season of retiring from playing were a pack of lies.

With half an hour to go Andy finished off a great team move to increase the score. Donal took the ball out of defence and Andy was pushed forward from right back by covering midfielders. Chris took the ball wide on the left and put a great cross in for Andy to get his first of the season. Phil got his second with good work from geriatric midfielder McCusker and Chris got another assist to give Art his second. Dub were on cruise control at this stage and saw the rest of the game out to the finish at 7-1.

Man of the match was Shane Murphy although there were several good performances as the team looked to take on new tactics, players and management.

 

Squad

Robbie Jackson, Gareth Dickson, Art Kernan, David McSparran (sub 45 mins), Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Andy de Faoite, Donal McCann, Shane McCusker, Kristian Hill, Cormac Kernan, Phil Doherty

Subs

Liam Gillen (45 mins), Chris Hodgkinson (45 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan (2) Art Kernan (2) Phil Doherty (2) Andy de Faoite
Assists	Shane McCusker Art Kernan Mark Harvey Chris Hodgkinson (2) Andy de Faoite Robbie Jackson
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Shane Murphy